Dufford Fires 69 in First Round

Goodyear, Ariz. – Senior Neil Dufford led the Nebraska men’s golf team on Thursday by firing a 2-under-par 69 in the first round of the Denver Desert Shootout.

The Huskers are in 10th place after tying their lowest score of the season with 285 in the first round. Tulsa leads the team competition by one stroke over BYU after shooting 274 on Thursday. Illinois’ Thomas Pieters leads the individual standings after a 7-under-par 65 in the opening round.

Dufford is tied for 13th at Palm Valley Golf Course, a par-71, 6,925-yard layout. He is making his first start of the spring after appearing in three tournaments during the fall season. Dufford went out in 34 and came in with 35 on the back nine.

Freshman Kolton Lapa produced a 71 on Thursday. Lapa, who has started every tournament for the Huskers this season, posted 36 on the front nine and 35 on the back nine. He is tied for 31st with 36 holes to play.

Matt Record carded a 1-over-par 72 in the opening round. The junior led Nebraska in its most recent outing and is tied for 44th in Arizona. Record paced his way to 38 on the front nine and 34 on the back nine.

Jordan Reinertson is tied for 57th after 18 holes at Palm Valley Golf Course. The senior shot a front-nine 38 and back-nine 35 for a first-round total of 73.

Junior Manuel Lavin went out in 38 and came in with 39 for a first-day total of 77. He is tied for 88th and edged Kevin Gillick by one stroke. Gillick, who is playing as an individual, carded a pair of 39s on Thursday and is tied for 93rd.

Friday’s second round begins at 9:30 a.m. (CT) with a shotgun start. The final round is set for Saturday at 9:30 a.m.